Vintage tools....do you use them?

[nismomans13]

I see lots of people selling vintage tools on this board. My question is do you guys actually use them once you buy them or just collect them? I got a bunch of old 1930 era tools from my grandpa that I use pretty regularly. To me its something that was made to be used not collected so I just made me curious if people actually put those 60-70-80 year old tools to work.

 

[jerryW]

Older tools feel better in my hands. I don't really have many newer tools, so yes I do use my "collector" tools.


jerry

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Yes, I use them for what they were made to do and sell the ones I will not use, but I usually grab a CRAFTSMAN
with the exception of ratchets, I prefer S/O new or old

 

[larry_g]

I have one set of tools and they range from near 100 years old to new. They all get used if they will do the best job. I have tools from family passed on to me and I will give them the respect due in that I will not abuse them and try to use them in a way that will honor those who passed them on to me. Tools that I have bought will get used and abused if needed. I have never bought a tool as a collectable, and I have sold maybe one or two. For me tools are a lifeline to a paycheck.

It might be a better question to ask how many tool collectors make their living twisting wrenches.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I also only have one set and use everything within it. However, i do go easier on the old tools though because i know i can't replace them.

 

[mrholeshot]

Thats a good question. I have some older tools (30-50s Snap-On, Proto,etc) and can't stand to use them. I really don't even like looking at them. I find the beauty in a tool in it's useable fucntion. 20 tooth huge headed ratchets, plow wrenches and slim handle screwdrivers just slow down what I do or won't do it at all. I rather have a Taiwan Duralast than a 1940s proto pearhead ratchet. I'm more about function than collectability

 

[chad s]

i do not use my vintage snap on collection. I prefer my new tools for working, they are smoother, stronger, and more ergonomic.

 

[riley.m]

I use both, if its a rare chromed out plomb ratchet i wont use it, or a plomb Ranger tool, no way, but proto/plomb lawsuit wrenches, or my vlchek wbe wrenches i use, because they feel good.

 

[Packard V8]

I've some Blue Point combination wrenches with '30s date codes in my basement set and they get used all the time. Some of my woodworking tools are easily more than a hundred years old and get used as needed.

FWIW, I collected tools in my earlier years and learned a lot. Then, the collection started to take space and money I needed for working projects. Now, I've got a lot more tools and use them all. If it is too old, too valuable or too delicate to use, it belongs to someone else.

jack vines

 

[matthew]

I don't wrench for a living, but I do love to use vintage tools, in particular my grandfather's old socket sets. Not all of them, but some things have changed very little. I regularly use a 70+ year old speeder, or a 40+ year old ratchet. Or a 50-60 year old socket set.

 

[Danglerb]

Its not just vintage for me, I tend to start with the cheapest tool I have and work up as needed to more expensive brands etc. depending on the job. I use some of my old tools all the time, but a few things in really nice condition that are also twice my age, not so sure.

When its a dirty job, or a chance of damaging the tool, reach for the HF.

 

[A_Pmech]

All the time!

Finished on August 4, 1922:

Built in the late 1930's:

Built sometime before WWII:

This one is still a young pup, having been built in 1947:

 

[woody 73]

I have used my vintage tools for working on various projects; I have a few tools that make it almost impossible to use in a mordern car and a one or two tools that if broken could not be replaced.
Something about holding history in your hands and wondering what the last craftsman was doing with that tool that make them fun to use.

 

[larry_g]

I use both, if its a rare chromed out plomb ratchet i wont use it, or a plomb Ranger tool, no way, but proto/plomb lawsuit wrenches, or my vlchek wbe wrenches i use, because they feel good.

Here is the difference as I see it. I may have some of these collectable tools Riley talks about in my set, but not being a collector I have no idea if something I'm using is ultra rare or some run of the mill old tool. Whatever someone decides to collect and is in a group of collectors and traders they will set totally different values on their collectables than those who are outside of the circle of collector people.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[dieseldodge01]

I use a 1/2 SK tool set that was from the 70's. I also use a Penncraft quick release ratchet for greasy, oily situations. I have some older Indestro open end wrenches I use also. For the most part I have used tools, I like using tools with some history.

 

[american lockpicker]

I haven't since 2003 or so. Now its only new tools I use.

 

[Honda 1]

I use my old tools as well as my new tools. My sets of SK sockets and wrenches are over 30 years old and still work as well as the first time I used them. Some of the handsaws I have come in very handy. Also, I have a tack hammer dated 1944, which I changed the original wooden handle and still use it.

 

[RM209]

I use a mix of newer tools and vintage stuff; but at this point in time it's almost a requirement for me to use a lot of newer tools as I repair and maintain my own cars, and virtually everything (with a few exceptions) in the last 10+ years has been built to metric specs, and it's hard to find older tools in the metric specs. With that said, some of my Billings, Blackhawk and Proto combination wrenches are my favorites.
As an aside, although the fully chromed tools are nice, I like the satin finish of those brands,

RM209

 

[nismomans13]

nice, its good to see a majority of the people here actually use those tools for what they were made for.

 

[boro_boy70]

Something about holding history in your hands and wondering what the last craftsman was doing with that tool that make them fun to use.

I agree. I collect old Proto, and have a bunch of vintage ratchets from other brands, but they all get used. I try to use a different ratchet every time, just to make sure they all get used. Almost all my vise grips are the old Petersen made in USA models. Also have many old Utica brand pliers and adjustable wrenches from the 30's to 60's still in use (made 2 miles from my house). Most of my air tools are old CP stuff, made right here in Utica NY before they closed up the factory here.

 

[warmpancakes]

I have a set of hinsdale, square sockets they are in the normal usage box, made in the 20s

 

[lowbucktruck]

nice, its good to see a majority of the people here actually use those tools for what they were made for.

Ditto. I find it also depends what you are working on, as far as the use of old tools you've collected. Old/classic car guys tend to keep using standard wrenches instead of metric tools (unless its a European car). I own an old 1972 Chevy pickup, so I reach for my old standard wrenches and sockets when working on the truck. And if you are restoring an old tractor, you might be more likely to be using your old tools for the job. My old reliable Crescent adjustable wrenches my father gave me aren't just wall-hangers, they get used when needed.
I own some vintage woodworking tools, and I enjoy using them. My old Stanley hand planes work and feel way better than the modern stuff.

 

[mrholeshot]

Ditto. I find it also depends what you are working on, as far as the use of old tools you've collected. Old/classic car guys tend to keep using standard wrenches instead of metric tools (unless its a European car). I own an old 1972 Chevy pickup, so I reach for my old standard wrenches and sockets when working on the truck. And if you are restoring an old tractor, you might be more likely to be using your old tools for the job. My old reliable Crescent adjustable wrenches my father gave me aren't just wall-hangers, they get used when needed.
I own some vintage woodworking tools, and I enjoy using them. My old Stanley hand planes work and feel way better than the modern stuff.

Thats just Metric and SAE and they still build both. I acually use more SAE than Metric. Most of my SAE stuff is as up to date as my metric. Most USA built engines up until 1998 were still SAE. Many of the Accessory holes were threaded Metric but the engines were SAE. Some still are. For me when it comes to tools the newer the better as long as they are quality. I like Nostalgic cars but I liek the latest and greatest to work on them with.

 

[Bolster]

Yes, I use my collectable tools.

Some things like combo wrenches, hammers, chisels, machinist squares, indicators, pullers...modern versions aren't that dramatically different.

Things that HAVE seen major improvements (sockets, ratcheting wrenches, dead-blow hammers, 80-tooth ratchets) I tend to reach for the new stuff.

 

[lbgradwell]

I have a set of hinsdale, square sockets they are in the normal usage box, made in the 20s

Wow. I wouldn't be using those on anything that required much torque!

I use vintage tools, but I don't do much wrenching. I like to change the ratchets I carry aboard the truck every few months (for kicks) & will use whatever is there when called upon to do so.

For most applications, though, if there's a better modern tool I'd tend to use it...

 

[Jim C.]

Yes. I use a lot of my old tools. Mostly they consist of old wood working tools (like hand planes, chisels, etc.) and machinery. Old cast iron machinery made in the USA is usually better than the newer stuff that was made overseas. I have a few old Delta wood working machines (1950s vintage) and I can't say enough good things about them. I enjoyed restoring them and really like using them.

 

[littlekillertoad]

I don't have nearly the collection that some of these other guys do but I'll use any old tool I've got if I need it. I also like to swap out my ratchets every now and then so that they all get some use. I tend to be a little nicer on the vintage stuff and if I know there's a good chance I'll screw a tool up, I'll use something else.

 

[lowbucktruck]

Yes. I use a lot of my old tools. Mostly they consist of old wood working tools (like hand planes, chisels, etc.) and machinery. Old cast iron machinery made in the USA is usually better than the newer stuff that was made overseas. I have a few old Delta wood working machines (1950s vintage) and I can't say enough good things about them. I enjoyed restoring them and really like using them.

I agree! Old Delta/Rockwell cast-iron woodworking machines ROCK! I love using my Delta table saw (not a Unisaw, unfortunately)
I'd like to get my hands on an older Delta jointer like this one. One of these days...
http://www.owwm.com/photoindex/detail.aspx?id=7337

 

[Tantara]

My tools weren't collector tools when I got them.

Brad